Last updated on January 18th, 2025
Flying with sports equipment can be a daunting task. You must worry about your luggage weight, ensuring your equipment arrives safely and trying not to damage anything. This blog post will provide tips for flying with sports equipment. Follow these tips, and you’ll have a smooth trip!
Travel Insurance is Essential
No matter what you’re bringing with you on your trip, travel insurance is always a good idea. This is especially true when you’re flying with sports equipment. If your equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged, travel insurance can help you recover the cost. Make sure to read the fine print of your policy before you purchase it to know what’s covered and what’s not.
Use Protective Gear
You spend a lot of money on your sports equipment, so you want to ensure it’s protected while traveling. When packing your gear, use soft cases or bags whenever possible. For example, if you’re traveling with a bow, invest in a good quality case that will keep your bow protected. In addition, you should pack loose items, such as arrows, in a hard-sided container. This will help prevent them from being lost or damaged during transit.
Check the Airline’s Policy
Some airlines restrict what sports equipment you can bring on the plane. Others may charge extra fees for larger items. So before you book your flight, be sure to check the airline’s policy on sports equipment. That way, you can avoid any surprises at the airport.
Pack Light
The less you have to carry, the better. When flying with sports equipment, try to pack light. Only bring the essentials and leave anything unnecessary at home. This will make it easier to transport your gear and reduce the risk of losing something.
Label Your Gear
Ensure all your gear is clearly labeled with your name and contact information. This will help the airline return your belongings if they’re lost or misplaced. You can use luggage tags, stickers, or permanent markers to label your gear.
A shipment Is An Option
When traveling with sporting equipment, simply shipping your gear ahead is one option to make your life easier. This way, you won’t have to worry about packing or lugging it through the airport. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you go this route:
- Make sure that your equipment is packed correctly. You don’t want anything to get damaged in transit.
- Be aware of any potential shipping restrictions. Some airlines have limitations on what can be shipped, so checking before booking is essential.
- Factor in the cost of shipping when you’re budgeting for your trip.
It can be pricey to send large or heavy items, but it may be worth it to avoid the hassle.
Consider Renting
One option to consider when flying with sports equipment is renting. This can be especially beneficial if you are only going on a short trip or plan on using the equipment infrequently. Many companies offer equipment rental, so do your research to find the best option for you.
In conclusion, flying with sports equipment can be challenging, but it is possible. By following these tips, you can make the process a lot easier. With some planning and preparation, you can travel with your gear without any problems.
BEST TRAVEL RESOURCES
Here are my go-to companies when planning my travels. They’re my first stop for flights, accommodations, tours, and staying connected!
- Skyscanner - Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine of all time for consistently finding the best deals. It searches smaller booking sites that others often miss. This is where I end up time and time again after first deciding where I want to go in Google Flights.
- Trip.com - Trip.com is another quality travel booking engine that I use often for flights and hotels. Sometimes they have options that aren’t listed in other sites. I don’t start with it but use it just before I pay for my flight tickets to confirm that I am getting the best prices.
- Booking.com - Booking.com offers one of the largest selections of budget accommodations worldwide. It consistently finds the lowest prices and I also appreciate its user-friendly interface and the option to book without upfront payment.
- Agoda - This website is the go-to for finding hotels across Asia, offering the most extensive inventory and the best rates. Whenever I travel in Asia, it’s the only accommodation site I use, it’s the best out there.
- Safety Wing - Safety Wing offers subscription-based travel and medical insurance tailored for digital nomads, freelancers, and remote workers. Developed by a global team of nomads, their plans are designed with a deep understanding of the remote lifestyle.
- World Nomads - World Nomads provides travel insurance designed for adventurous travelers and explorers. Their plans are flexible, allowing you to extend or adjust coverage while on the road, making them ideal for spontaneous and active travelers.
- Wise - I’ve been using Wise for all my international money transfers, and it’s been a game changer. The fees are transparent, and I get the real exchange rate, which saves me so much compared to other services.
- Get Your Guide - GetYourGuide is a platform for booking guided tours, cooking classes and outdoor adventures. The rates tend to be competitive and another way to experience a place without breaking the bank.
- TRAFALGAR - Trafalgar offers higher-end guided tours that tend to be longer in length and take travelers deep into the heart of each destination. Their tours are designed for travelers who want stress-free, immersive travel, with everything from accommodations to transportation taken care of.
- NordVPN - NordVPN provides online security and privacy while you travel worldwide. There are many VPNs out there but NordVPN is one of the best. Ideal for travelers and remote workers alike.
- GlobalYo - Globalyo connects travelers with a robust selection of eSIM options for hassle-free mobile data worldwide. I’ve bought several eSims from them and they’re always affordable and connect me wherever I am.
